POULTRY NOTES

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1933, Page 7

POULTRY NOTES

HOW TO SUCCEED.

r SELECTION OF EGOS FOR HATCHING. Now that the matching season is at hand it is wel! to reiterate that the size of all eggs put: down for the renewal of stock should be given careful consideration by the poultry-keeper. The question of the small egg is becoming a serious one from an industrial standpoint, and unfortunately too many producers are aiming for numbers of eggs, thereby failing to counteract the tendency to produce small eggs. It is now generally realised I that, if the producer is to make the most profit from his business, the export trade must be relied upon as a means of relieving the local market during the flush season. There is, however, ample evidence that our eggs will have to face keener competition on the overseas market than ever before, and that on the grounds of profit no eggs should be exported weighing less than 2oz. The egg-laying competitions have rendered the industry excellent service in developing th'e laying power of certain- breeds of poultry, but those who control them have long since realised that the number of eggs produced should not be the only object, and j that the weight of eggs laid by the competing birds is of equal if not of greater importance than numbers from a trade point of view. It is interesting to know the weight of eggs produced by the competing birds.' These figures disclose valuable data, clearly indicating specialist stock that fail to lay eggs up to the standard weight. The- executives are to be congratulated for not allowing prizes to be won by birds laying a second-grade product, and this must naturally assist to a great extent in raising the egg standard throughout the Dominion. It must be admitted that in the past, under the crude system of marketing which has existed, the producer had little,, if - any, encouragement to breed for large eggs, as these did not command any better price on the local market than those of medium size. It is, however, pleasing to know that at last some of the distributing agents and retailers are setting themselves out to correct this weakness, inasmuch as the value of fresh eggs is now determined by weight. For example, there is now often a difference in price of 2d to 3d, a dozen between eggs weighing 2oz or more and those under this weight and which are generally termed B grade. If this reform is to be made general throughout the Dominion, as it should be, then it will pay the small-egg producer to calculate his annual monetary loss through breeding from birds which lay lowergrade eggs. Even if a moderate-sized flock is kept the loss will probably astonish him.

The long-looked-for reform in having eggs sold (in, at least some quarters) on their weight value tends • to bring our system into line with that under which eggs are disposed of bn the London market. These are paid for not only according to their weight, but according to their internal quality as well, and the sooner this system is adopted on the local market the greater will be the movement towards increased demand by the consumer and placing’ the local egg-trade on a sound footing. Egg pulp is sold by weight, and no sound argument can be advanced to prove that eggs in shell should not be disposed of in. a similar manner. While it is true that it is the internal quality that appdals most to the consuming public, nevertheless it is not the egg weighing less than 2oz which will appeal most in catering for the high-class trade, whether it be on the local or overseas market. There is no better method of raising the standard weight of eggs than by eliminating from the breeding-pens diminutive specimens of a breed, which, by. the way, are unfortunately being too, often/bred from throughout the Dominion. In mating up * the breeders it is especially important to know that the cockerel has come from a hen laying a good-sized egg, for, however satisfactory the size of the eggs of the female, the progeny will probably fail to maintain a good egg standard if the sire is the descendant of stock the eggs of which were of undesirable size. The warning is here and the remedy simple, dust as heavylayiug quality may lie maintained and advanced by judicious mating, so,the size of eggs may be maintained or advanced (in reason, of course) by the same process. A hen, however good a layer, should not be put into the breed-ing-pen if she lays a small egg. BREEDING POINTS. \ While it is,important that the hens in the breeding-pens be maintained in the best possible condition, it is of equal or oven greater importance that

the male bird should be well treated, so that he may be kept in a good breeding condition. Usually male birds, especially those of second or third season, are subject to infestation by lice and do not avail themselves of dust baths as is the case with hens. For this reason they should be periodically examined, and if insect pests are present they should be dusted with insect powder, or, better .still, treated with nicotine sulphate. A simple and effective way of doing this is to dip a feather into the liquid and draw it under both wings, or by putting a small amount between the breast feathers. Do this at dusk, just when the birds are going to roost. Male birds which carry large combs and wattles which are common in such breeds as Leghorns, 'Minorcas, etc., should have these removed before being placed in the breeding-pen. As a* result of this operation, a bird will invariably fertilise more eggs, with stronger germs. The operation can be simply performed by meahs of a pair of sharp scissors, a good dressing of iodoform being applied to the cut pai'ts to prevent bleeding and other after-effects. Long spurs on the male bird are another common cause of infertility of the eggs, and often result in hens having their sides badly ripped. The points of the spurs should be removed with a fine saw within, say, fin of the shank, and if a little Stockholm tar is dabbed on the surface of the cut parts little or no bleeding will result.

MATING. The number of hens to mate with one male depends entirely on the local or surrounding conditions affecting the stock and plant. Where a free range is provided a high proportion of fertile eggs may be obtained by using one male to twenty or more females, but when the birds are confined in a house or run the number of females must be considerably reduced if gdod results are to be obtained. No hard-and-fast rule can be laid down in this respect. The poultry-keeper must use his own discretion and be guided by the number of fertile eggs produced. In a general way, when the birds are confined and during the early season six to eight of the heavier type will usually prove sufficient for one male. If the male is vigorous this number may be increased as the season advances. With the lighter breeds, such as Leghorns or Minorcas, eight females may be mated to one male, and in the spring months up to twelve or even fifteen, Reference is here made to l;he case where a cockerel heads the breeding pen; generally, adult males cannot be depended upon to produce a desired number of fertile eggs, particularly during the early season, even when mated to a smaller number of hens.

GREEN FOOD. > It may be well to again emphasise the importance of having everything in readiness for the growing of an abundant supply of succulent green material for future use. Ample green stuff not only makes lor economical production, but is an essential requirement for the maintenance of good health in birds of all ages. Young stock in particular will never make sound development if deprived of green food during the growing Silver-beet ie an excellent thing to grow for poultry, and is a heavy cropper, besides which it is not subject to attack by insect pests as is the case with any of the cabbage familv, rape, etc. The value of silver-beet and its resistance to pests, as compared with many other plants, was well demonstrated during the past season. —F. 0. Brown, Chief Poultry Instructor, Wellington.